by Siddharth Desarda, Justice Leila Seth Fellow – January 2025
Stepping into Delhi’s Tis Hazari Court on a pungent Delhi morning feels like entering the city’s bustling spice market in Khari Baoli as a novice trader. Located just streets away from each other, both places hum with a similar energy. But the “bazaar of law” trades in the stark contrast of black and white attire instead of colourful ingredients. The court building aims to be imposing but falls short; instead, its extended passage, lined with drink stalls and bustling lawyers, creates a vivid image—a mini-marathon of black coats rushing back and forth. This moment marked my nervous but significant entry into the legal field through the Justice Leila Seth Fellowship (JLSF), a generational passage for upward mobility.
Delhi drew me in through a fascinating opportunity to step into the arena of rights and justice. I joined JLSF offered by iProbono India, a remarkable initiative named after a visionary judge. The fellowship aligns closely with iProbono India’s mission to enable people to access their rights. And the legacy of Justice Seth makes it a deeply valued opportunity. For my fellowship, I joined iProbono India’s program team, which focuses on child rights, while also tackling issues like housing, disability and prison reforms. Over the past six months, I have engaged in litigation as well as research and advocacy – a combination that is essential to understand this thematic area. The fellowship model itself is intriguing. Its blend of practical experience with an academic framework creates a distinct identity. It offers a hands-on role in the workings of the organisation. I am encouraged to participate in drafting, advocacy, and study design, while also being encouraged to write, network, and innovate. There is a genuine effort to create a holistic experience. JLSF helps me find my space and voice, shapes perspective and allows me to learn.
India needs more fellowships like JLSF, each with distinct focuses and designs to create opportunities for people from diverse regional, class, and caste backgrounds. First-generation learners gain tremendously from working with community-driven organisations. At iProbono India, I learned the value of leading legal representation with a holistic approach, providing social support alongside legal aid, and prioritising trying over the fear of mistakes. Delhi’s courts also offered invaluable lessons: embracing technology in daily proceedings, attempting to adapt people-friendly systems, engaging with lawyers and the public to refine policies of public interest and fostering a vibrant legal community which works beyond the mundane to solve riddles and achieve brilliance. These practices, which I hope to carry back to Maharashtra, are a reflection of a transformative and dynamic model of justice.
The learnings from a legal fellowship can be taken back to various sectors, including academia, media, and arts, acknowledging the multifaceted world of justice. Stories of rights and struggles must reach a wide audience, which can be better achieved by media and artists. Academia, in turn, can help tread with contemporary issues by studying causes and framing guidelines and evolving our current models. The best works of art and investigative stories come from immersion into that world. Through an integration of law with other fields, the fellowship creates solidarity networks and contributes to building a resilient, values-driven society. I am hopeful that more organisations will align with the trend and join suit. While not the only model, the fellowship offers unique opportunities for engagement, collaboration and exchange of ideas. Its flexibility and adaptability could indeed be a boon to India’s legal and social sectors, each new fellowship sparking further commitment to justice and equity.